As has been discussed here ad absurdem, the problem with Semin isn't skill-level, it's that for three games he'll dangle and dangle and dangle... and you never know when he'll snap out of it and come through with a hockey play.

Semin played for shit last night, as per his standard operating procedure. As I msg'd my brother in Tampa, "I really kinda' hate Semin, but not so much right now." Okay, so he got a goal on 1 of his 2 shots all night. Now, if only he could complete 1 solid pass in the offensive zone each game, he'd improve infinitely... since you can't divide by zero.

Semin also scored a clutch season-saving, game-tying goal last night. I know he makes everyone nuts, but we're still in it today in part because of him.

I believe in this team. I've never seen a Caps team more resilient and explosive than this one. Boston has tough games coming up and we're only 2 back in the division now. That next game with Carolina is looking extra huge right about now.

Here's what the post-game on the Caps site says about Kozlov:"Kozlov blocked a Shane O’Brien slapshot just after Semin’s tying goal, and had to crawl off the ice. He was walking around with barely a limp afterwards and should be none the worse for wear for Saturday’s road finale"

I'll pose a question that's been burning on my mind. Tarik mentioned in his chat today and has mentioned a few times before that Kolzig wants to be a #1 NHL Goaltender next year. What teams do ya'll think Kolzig could actually be the #1? I'm struggling coming up with an answer

1) Well, the questions are: a)How many teams will NEED a true # 1 goal?b) Is Kolzig still a #1?2) a) LA, Colorado, Detroit,Ottawa,Washingtonb) At 38 and having an up/down season its unlikely that any of those teams would consider Olie worth a starters salary.

Seems like Tampa had five men collapsing in front of Ramo all night. They were taking away the cross-ice passes too. Caps did a good job of taking what opportunities they could get. I hate those kinds of games. The Caps seem to fare much better against more offensive minded teams such as Montreal and Ottawa.

I'm just glad we're not talking about Russia as a third world country today.

Scott has an excellent point on whether there are teams for which Olie could be a No. 1 next year:

If Carey Price bombs in the playoffs maybe MTL would want a veteran around. If Hasek doesn't return to DET, maybe they'd want to split the No. 1 job between Osgood and someone. If OTT decides that it's going to radically overhaul its G situation it might buy out both Gerber and Emery. Lot of 'ifs' in these here answers.

That leaves the LAK. They need a No. 1, a No. 2... and already have a lot of contracts at the position.

And yes, I get tired of reading silliness, be it inaccurate or stoopid. Who doesn't? (Hoping for the presence of laxatives in Dunkin' Donuts coffee? Is that really worth sharing?!)

i agree with anonymous: tyler --- please lighten up. You think we are all silly, "stoopid", inaccurate, gripe too much and complain too much. Here's what you ought to do: be a man and shut up about us. Tyler's, your criticism i don't need. I get enough elsewhere. Please not here.

The last thing I want to do is censor or moderate comments, so here's the bottom line - if anyone has anything to say about the Caps, I want them to be able to say it without fear of being flamed for it. No one's going to intimidate others into silence.

And at the same time, there will be no personal attacks. Period.

C'mon, people. Let's try to keep these comments at the high level they've been at for so long. Cool?